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Wiz, a smart lighting company, is launching a new home monitoring feature that uses its existing motion-sensing Wi-Fi smart bulbs. The company’s new indoor security camera, which costs $70, can be paired with the WiZ Smart Bulbs to alert users to any potential security threats. Using the company’s SpaceSensing technology, which detects changes in Wi-Fi signal strength caused by any movement, the system will send an alert to the WiZ app when a motion is detected. The security camera can be used to see what is happening in the monitored area.
The WiZ Home Monitoring Starter kit, which comes with three WiZ A19 full-color smart bulbs and one camera, will be available from June 15th for €159.99. Alternatively, customers who already have some of the company’s bulbs can buy the camera for $69.99 later this month. At least two bulbs are required for the SpaceSense feature to work.
The WiZ Indoor Wi-Fi Camera is part of the company’s new Home Monitoring feature and works with its smart lighting range. While the technology is not as robust as a full security system with sensors on every door and window, it is a simple solution that’s easy to set up. Moreover, customers don’t need a hub, siren, or professional monitoring. When an “alarm” is triggered by a motion, the bulbs can be set to flash erratically to scare off potential intruders. The Home Monitoring feature is free and accessible through the newly launched WiZ V2 app.
Customers can set customized routines that control the lights and activate the monitoring. The monitoring feature also includes the presence simulation function, which automatically turns lights on and off to make it look like someone is at home. The monitoring can be turned on and off manually in the app and can be set on a schedule. This feature allows users to customize the monitoring to specific areas of their homes, such as their fridges, to prevent roommates from taking their food.
WiZ’s SpaceSense technology uses Wi-Fi signals to detect the presence of people. The company says approximately 80 to 90 percent of its existing lights and all its new products work with SpaceSense and are compatible with the Home Monitoring function. Connected by WiZ brand lights are also compatible.
To use the home monitoring feature, a new WiZ Indoor Camera is required. The company says that this camera is the first of many home monitoring products that it is planning to launch. The camera streams and records in 1080p and has a 120-degree field of view. It also features infrared night vision, image-based motion detection, two-way audio, and an onboard microphone that can detect sudden loud noises such as glass breaking or smoke alarms going off.
The camera has an onboard microSD card that can be used to record footage locally, or users can subscribe to cloud storage for up to 30 days of recordings. WiZ said that all cloud footage is end-to-end encrypted, and even the local SD card storage is encrypted. The company also added that access to recorded footage is only available through the WiZ app. Additionally, the subscription feature also adds the option of using activity and privacy zones with the camera and the ability to start a manual recording while streaming.
In conclusion, WiZ’s new home monitoring feature is an affordable, simple, and easy-to-use security solution that’s especially useful for apartments and smaller homes. The company says its software features are the star of the show here, and if the system delivers as promised, it will be a very intriguing home security solution.
